Rocking horse



' May 27, 1947. KENDALL 2,421,270

ROCKING HORSE Filed Aug. 18, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l May 27, 1947. KENDALL 2,421,270

. ROCKING HORSE Filed Aug. 18, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May .27, 1947 UNI TE D STATES PATENT OFFICE ROCKING HORSE Max J. Kendall, Benton Harbor, Mich.

Application August 18, 1944, Seria1No. 549,977

9 Claims. 1.

This invention relates to rocking horse.

The .main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a rocking horse which in its movements simulates certain movements of a horse and one in whichthe structure is automatically actuated to simulate certain of these movements by the act of mounting and rocking.

Second, to provide a structure having moving parts in which the user is not likely to .be pinched or injured by such parts.

Third, to provide a structure having these advantages which is very strong and at the same time quite simple in structure.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of the invention will definitely appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in the .claims.

A structure which embodies the features of the invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a rocking horse embodying my invention, the parts being shown in their normal position by full lines and with head and tail raised by dotted lines, and with head in other possible positions by dotted lines.

2 is a plan view.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side View partially in longitudinal section on line 33 of Fig. with the .head and tailraised.

Fig, 4 is a fragmentary front elevation.

.Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view partially in transverse sectiononiine 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view partially in longitudinal section on line 6-6 of Fig, 2 with the tail in actuated or raised position.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing I form the body, designated generally by the numeral I, of a pair of side body sections 2 spaced by the top and bottom members 3 and 4, respectively, the parts being secured together by the transverse bolts 5. This arrangement provides a longitudinal slotlike chamber 6 which is open .at I at the front end of the bottom to receivethe rear end of the neck element 8. This neck element .8 is pivoted at 9. The forward bolt 5 served as .a stop coacting with the stop Ill to support the neck in its lowered position as shown by full lines in Fig. 1.

The head element II is slotted at l2 to receive the forward end of the neck and is secured thereto by the pivot l3 which is arranged so that when the neck is in its loweredposition the head is balanced to hang in a substantially vertical .position simulating a horse at rest or relaxed. The head, is preferably balanced so as to swing with the movement of the body on its rockers M, the body being provided with downwardly-diverging legs :45 secured to the rocker. The rockers are improvements in 2 preferably providedwith a platform It to enabie easy mounting andtorninimize the danger of a child fal'iing'or beinginjured in mounting.

The head .is providecl'with reins 17 which are sufliciently loose when engaged over the pommel 1B of the saddle li-ito'permitthe head to swin with the rocking oi the rocking horse. However, this swinging of't'he head can be restrained-by these reins.

An actuating member 20 is disposedwithinthe chambered body .supported'by the pivots ,2! extending transversely'therethrough and projecting .at the sides ofthe body .tO'il'GCElVB' theleverlike stirrups .22. "The actuatingmemberis connected to the neck oniopposite sides of itspivot 9 by means of thei'flexible straps'23 and 24"so that w'hen'the stirrups are swung'iback and-forth the neckis raised and lowered. The parts are balanced so that when the rocking horseis at rest the stirrups projectrearwardly as shown by full lines in l.

'In the act of mounting, when the child steps into the stirrupythe stirrup is carried forwardly to the dotted position shown in Fig, 1. Thisra-ises the neck and 'brings'the head to an alert position. .The head is provided with ears 25 so disposed that when the head is in the loweredposit-ion they have the appearance of dropping forwardly, but when the neck is raised the position of the ears relative to the neck gives the appearance of alertness.

'The'tail designatedgenera'illy by the numeral 2-6 is also designed to give the appearance of ease when the rocking horse is unoccupied and at rest and of alertness when it is occupied-seei 'igs. 1 and 3. Thetail comprises a lever member :21 pivoted at 28 to project through the opening '29 at the rear of the body A filler strip 30 isarranged between the side members 2 at the rear of the body, see-Fig. 3. The member 2 is connected by the link *3l tothe rocker actuating member 20 sothat as it is a'ctuatedthe tail is raised and lowered. The stop 32 coasting with the filler piece 30 limits-the upward swinging of the member 21 and in the embodiment illustrated it also limits the actuation of the actuating'memb'er inone direction. The stop) on the neck. coacting with the forward bolt 5 serves to limit the movement in the other direction. The tail also-comprisesa coiled spring '33 whieh is mount- .ed on the-rounded end. "34' of the lever 21 and provided with a "flexible fabric covering -35 *to which the strands 36 are "secured. This provides a flexible tail which is of advantage in that it 'does'not obstruct or injure the child in swinging its leg over the-"body in 2 mounting and dismounting in thenormalmanner.

To guard the opening -31 and prevent the childs fingers from being pinched "by the actuation of the lever member ZTIPmvideatube 3t and tail are ultimately raised and lowered.

formed of a section of rubber hose or the like of proper weight sleeved upon the coiled spring element and split to provide the forward guard 39 which is secured at 40 to the top spacer strip 3 and the rear guard member 42 which is secured to the filler strip 38, see Fig. 6.

To further guard moving parts a flexible element 43 simulating a saddle blanket is provided, the forward portion of this element overlying the rear end of the neck receiving slot and the rear end of the neck as shown in Fig. 3. ,The sides of this element overlie or overhang the ends oi the pivot 2| and the upper ends of the stirrup levers which are secured to the pivot by means of the screws 44. The stirrups 45 are adjustably secured to the stirrup levers 22 by means of the bolts 45 which are selectively engageable with a series of holes 47 in the members 22.

The swinging of the head is indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 3, and the head is also indicated in a substantially horizontal position which it assumes when the structure is pulled about by means of the reins. In this horizontal position the ears are laid back which simulates a stubborn or resisting horse.

With this arrangement the structure has considerable range of adaptability. I have illus trated and described my invention in a practical embodiment thereof and one in which there is little likelihood of a child being injured; also one in which there is substantial movement of parts, both in rocking movement without swinglevers without rocking. Naturally, in rocking movements the lever-like stirrup members are swung to a greater or less extent, thus the head It is believed this disclosure will enable the embodiment or adaptation of the invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a rocking horse, the combination of a body having supporting legs provided with rockers, said body having a longitudinally extending chamber therein with a vertical slot-like opening at the front thereof and provided with an opening at the rear thereof, a neck pivotally mounted within said slot-like opening, a head pivotally mounted on said neck, coacting stops on said body and neck limiting the vertical swinging movement of said neck, said head being ba1- anced on its pivot to hang in a substantially vertical position when the neck is in its lowered position and unless restrained being free to swing on its pivot with the rocking of the body and when the neck is raised and lowered, an actuating member disposed within said body memberand provided with a pivot projecting at both sides of the body, straps connecting said actuating member at opposite sides of its pivot to said'neck on opposite sides of its pivot whereby on the actuation of said actuating member on its pivot the neck is raised and lowered on its pivot, levere like stirrups mounted on the projecting ends of said actuating member pivot and normally inclined rearwardly with the neck element in its lowered position, a tail element comprising a lever member pivotally mounted in said body member to project through said opening at the rear of said body, said tail element further comprising a coiled spring mounted on said lever member and a fabric covering therefor, a link connecting said lever member to said actuating member, and a flexible tube embracing the lower end of said coiled spring tail element and split and secured to the body to provide cover guards for said rear opening in said body, said body being provided with a flexible saddle blanket ele ment overlying the upper ends of said stirrups and the rear end of the neck receiving slot portion of said body member chamber to constitute guards.

2. In a rocking horse, the combination of a body having supporting legs provided with rockers, said body having a longitudinally extending chamber therein with a vertical slotlike opening at the front thereof, a neck pivotally mounted within said slot-like opening, a head pivotally mounted on said neck, coacting stops on said body and neck limiting the vertical swinging movement of said neck, said head being balanced on its pivot to hang in a substantially vertical position when the neck is in its lowered position and unless restrained being free to swing on its pivot with the rocking of the body and when the neck is raised and lowered, an actuating member disposed within said body chamber and provided with a pivot projecting at both sides of the body, straps connecting said actuating member at opposite sides of its pivot to said neck on opposite sides of it pivot whereby on the actuation of said actuating member on its pivot the neck is raised and lowered on its pivot, and leverlike stirrups mounted on the projecting ends of said actuating member pivot and normally inclined rearwardly with the neck element in its lowered position, said body being provided with a flexible saddle blanket element overlying the upper ends of said stirrups and the rear end of the neck receiving slot portion of said body member chamber to constitute guards.

3. In a rocking horse, the combination of a body having supporting legs provided with rockers, said body having a longitudinally extending chamber therein with a vertical slot-like opening at the front thereof, a neck pivotally mounted within said slotlike opening, a head pivotally mounted on said neck, coacting stops on said body and neck limiting the vertical swinging movement of said neck, said head being balanced on its pivot to hang in a substantially vertical position when the neck is in its lowered position and unless restrained being free to swing on its pivot with the rocking of the body and when the neck is raised and lowered, an actuating member disposed within said body chamber and provided with a pivot projecting at both sides of the body, straps connecting said actuating member at opposite sides of its pivot to said neck on oppoe site sides of its pivot whereby on the actuation of said actuating member on its pivot the neck is raised and lowered on its pivot, and lever-like stirrups -mounted on the projecting ends of said actuating member pivot and normally inclined rearwardly with the neck element in its lowered position.

4. In a rocking horse, the combination of a chambered body provided with rockers, a, neck pivotally mounted within said body to project therefrom, a head pivotally mounted on said neck, said head being balanced on its pivot to hang in a swinging position when the neck is in its lowered position and unless restrained being free toswing on its pivot with the rocking of the body and when the neck is raised and lowered, an actuating member disposed within said body chamber and provided with a pivot projecting at both sides of the body, operating connections for said actuating member to said neck whereby on the actuation of said actuating member on its pivot the neck is raised and lowered on its pivot, lever-like stirrups mounted on the projecting ends of said actuating member pivot and normally inclined rearwardly with the neck element in its lowered position, a tail element comprising a lever member pivotally mounted in said body, a coiled spring mounted on said lever member and a fabric covering therefor, and a link connecting said lever member to said actuating member, said body being provided with a flexible saddle blanket element overlying the upper ends of said stirrups and the rear end of the neck to constitute guards, said neck and tail element being operable by said leverlike stirrups independently of the operation of the rocking horse on its rockers.

5. In a rocking horse, the combination of a chambered body provided with rockers, a neck pivotally mounted Within said body to project therefrom, a head pivotally mounted on said neck, said head being balanced on its pivot to hang in a swinging position when the neck i in its lowered position and unless restrained being free to swing on its pivot with the rocking of the body and when the neck is raised and lowered, an actuating member disposed within said body chamber and provided with a pivot projecting at both sides of the body, operating connections for said actuating member to aid neck whereby on the actuation of said actuating member on its pivot the neck is raised and lowered on its pivot, lever-like stirrups mounted on the projecting ends of said actuating member pivot and normally inclined rearwardly with the neck element in its lowered position, a tail element comprising a lever member pivotally mounted in said body chamber, a coiled spring mounted on said lever member and a fabric covering therefor, and a link connecting said lever member to said actuating member, said neck and tail element being operable by said lever-like stirrups independently of the operation of the rocking horse on its rockers.

6. In a rocking horse, the combination of a chambered body provided with rockers, a neck pivotally mounted within said body to project therefrom, a head mounted on said neck, an actuating member disposed within said body chamber and provided with a pivot projecting at both sides of the body, operating connections for said actuating member to said neck whereby on the actuation of said actuating member on its pivot the neck is raised and lowered on its pivot, and lever-like stirrups mountedon the projecting ends of said actuating member pivot and. normally projecting downwardly therefrom, said neck being raised and lowered by said lever-like stirrups independently of the operation of the rocking horse on its rockers.

7. In a rocking horse, the combination of a body provided with rockers, said body having a longitudinally extending chamber therein with a vertical slot-like opening at the front thereof, a

neck pivotally mounted within said slot-like opening, a head element pivotally mounted on said neck, coacting stops on said body and neck limiting the vertical swinging movement of said neck, said head being balanced on its pivot to hang in a substantially vertical position when the neck is in its lowered position and unless restrained being free to swing on its pivot with the rocking of the body and when the neck is raised and lowered, an actuating member disposed within said body chamber, operating connections fo said actuatin member to said neck whereby on the actuation of said actuating member the neck is raised and lowered on its pivot, pivoted lever-like stirrups operatively connected to said actuating member, a tail element comprising a lever member pivotally mounted in said body to project therefrom, said tail element furthe comprising a coiled spring mounted on said lever member and a fabric covering therefor, and a, link connecting said lever member to said actuating memher, said neck and tail element being operable by said lever-like stirrups independently of the operation of the rocking horse on its rockers.

8. In a rocking horse, the combination of a body provided with rockers, said body having a longitudinally extending chamber therein with a vertical slot-like opening at the front thereof, a neck pivotally mounted within said slot-like opening, a head element pivotally mounted on said neck, coacting stops on said body and neck limiting the vertical swinging movement of said neck, said head being balanced on its pivot to hang in a substantially vertical position when the neck is in its lowered position and unless restrained being free to swing on its pivot with the rocking of the body and when the neck is raised and lowered, an actuating member disposed within said body chamber, operating connections for said actuating member to said neck whereby on the actuation of said actuating member the neck is raised and lowered on its pivot, and pivoted lever-like stirrups operatively connected to said actuating member, said neck being raised and lowered by said lever-like stirrups independently of the operation of the ocking horse on its rockers.

9. In a rocking horse, the combination of a body provided with rockers, a neck pivotally mounted within said body to project therefrom, a head element pivotally mounted on said neck, said head being balanced on its pivot to hang in a substantially vertical position when the neck is in its lowered position and unless restrained being free to swing on its pivot with the rocking of the body and when the neck is raised and lowered, an actuating membe disposed within REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 873,533 Fowler Dec. 10, 1907 925,369 Minor June 15, 1909 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 410,664 Germany Mar. 12, 1925 473,396 Germany Mar. 20, 1929 

